Reforms in the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan
Nov,17,2021
In 2021, which is a turning point in terms of transformations in Uzbekistan, a set of measures is being completed to implement the "Action Strategy for Five Priority Areas of Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021."
In the field of agriculture, the "Action Strategy" set the task of modernization and intensive development of the sector.
As a result of systemic reforms in 2017-2021, the practice of producing raw cotton, cereals, and cereals was canceled on the basis of state orders and state procurement prices for them. The agricultural management system has been improved.
The optimization of the sown areas, envisaged by the "Action Strategy", was carried out, aimed at reducing the sowing of grain and cotton. In 2016-2020, a total of 330.5 thousand hectares of cotton and grain crops were reduced, due to which the production of potatoes, vegetables, fodder and oilseeds was increased. In the same period, intensive orchards were planted on 69.6 thousand hectares and 57 thousand hectares of vineyards. In the spring season of 2021, there were 11 times more fruit orchards than in 2016, and seven times more vineyards.
The task of creating multidisciplinary structures for the production and processing of agricultural products has been solved. Since 2017, in the agro-industrial complex, cluster production began to be introduced in cotton growing, and over time in other segments of the industry. By 2021, 463 agro-industrial clusters were already in operation. In 2018-2020, cotton and textile clusters attracted $ 1.4 billion in investments to create a value chain. Due to additional investments in the 2019-2020s, the clusters put into reuse 14.6 thousand hectares, and water-saving technologies were introduced on 20.6 thousand hectares.
In order to improve the ameliorative state of irrigated lands, introduce water-saving agricultural technologies, 394.3 thousand hectares of agricultural land were re-commissioned in 2019-2021. In 2017-2020, water-saving technologies were introduced on 256.3 thousand hectares. An information system for monitoring the use of water resources at irrigation facilities has been introduced. According to the Concept on the effective use of land and water resources in agriculture in 2020-2030, 1.1 million hectares of land that have been removed from agricultural use will be gradually reused.
At the same time, in Uzbekistan, the situation with water consumption continues to remain tense against the background of a shortage of water resources due to an increase in water demand due to the growth of the economy and population.
In this regard, the Concept for the Development of the Water Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030 was approved. Obviously, the reform to improve water efficiency will become one of the most important in the coming years.
The agriculture development strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020-2030 covers nine priority areas. Among them is the development of the activities of new agricultural clusters and cooperatives for the production of competitive, export-oriented quality products, the creation of value chains, and an increase in the income of agricultural producers. A strategy for the development of agricultural technologies was also approved, for the implementation of which the Center for Digitalization of the Agro-Industrial Complex was created under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan -Tehran